Demarest Borough

Bergen County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Rental/Resale Certificate (certificate of occupancy on resale, also called continued certificate of occupancy)
Issued by
Borough of Demarest Building Department (Construction Official)
Requirements
  • Complete the Rental/Resale Certificate application, pay the fees and have the home inspected before any change in occupancy
  • Building inspection: no visible safety problems (such as missing hand or guard rails), no illegal work done without permits, and no illegal conversions (for example one family to two family)
  • Fire inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is done as part of the same application (see fire certificate)
  • Sump pumps must discharge onto the property or the street, not into the Borough sewer
  • Common fail items on the Borough checklist: handrail on stairs with 4 or more risers, enclosed stair risers, working bedroom windows, house numbers 4 to 6 inches, visible hydrant, secondary power source warning label at the electric panel and meter, neat property, stove tip bracket, even walkways
  • The applicant must arrange removal of all household materials and garbage
  • The Borough advises the realtor be present for all inspections
Fees
Resale/rental certificate, building inspection$75.00
Total check for building and fire inspections$115
Continued certificate of occupancy inspection fee (code)$75
Additional fee on issuance of the certificate of occupancy (code)$35
Reinspection, change of occupancy of a 1 or 2 household dwelling (application form, Ord. 1101-22)$50
Timing
The Borough says the process takes about 4 to 6 weeks, so allow ample time. The code says the certificate may be issued up to two weeks before the closing.
Phone
201-768-3398
ApplicationOfficial page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Smoke detector on each level, including walk-up attic and basement (basement detector on the ceiling at the foot of the stairs)
  • Smoke detector on the ceiling within 10 feet of each sleeping area, in a common area, not inside bedrooms; extra detectors if bedrooms are in a separate area
  • Battery-only smoke detectors must be 10-year sealed battery units listed to ANSI/UL 217; hardwired (110V) detectors may not be replaced with battery units
  • Carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of any sleeping area (not inside bedrooms); battery operated is allowed

Demarest Borough Fire Prevention (Fire Official), inspected through the Building Department resale application

Fees
Smoke detector certificate application, 1 or 2 household dwelling (code)$40
Smoke detector certificate reinspection (code)$40
Fire inspection portion of the resale application$40.00
Timing
Handled with the resale certificate, which the Borough says takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Fire subcode inspections are listed for Tuesday 1 to 3 pm and Friday 1 to 2 pm.
Phone
201-768-3398
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked October 4, 2026
Sources
  1. https://www.demarestnj.gov/departments/construction
  2. https://ecode360.com/31312659
  3. https://www.demarestnj.gov/government/forms/construction/1942-rental-resale-certificate-application/file

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